Hanwell project earns borough London planning award

AMBITIOUS plans to transform Copley Close Estate, Hanwell, have earned Ealing Council a London Planning Award.

Over the next five years, the transformation of Copley Close will involve 205 new homes being built and a further 550 existing homes refurbished.

The idea is to make the estate somewhere everyone wants to live.

The new mixed development will incorporate new housing for council tenants, flats and houses for private sale, shared ownership, market rent and affordable rent. New community and public spaces will also be created, along with shops.

Ealing will act as developer and landlord, rather than getting a housing association or private developer to take over the estate. The borough is setting up its own company that will develop the new homes for sale and private rent.

The awards recognise excellence in building and planning. Copley Close claimed the Best Conceptual Project Award.

The judges, who included the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, were also impressed at how the development will overcome the design challenge of having a railway line running through the estate.

Existing homes suffer from damp, subsidence and vibration from the nearby train line.